New website a clearinghouse for coronavirus info

After shutting down her Lewes businesses, Jen Mason really started to think about the COVID-19 crisis. With information and needs changing so fast, she said, it became important to connect different aspects of the community in one place. 

“We don’t have anything like this for the bigger picture that ties our community together. It could be super handy to have during a disaster,” she said. 

Cape Community Coordination for COVID-19 is the result. The goal of the group is communication and coordination, bringing together all sectors of the Cape Region, from business leaders and elected officials to faith, education and healthcare communities. With everyone posting info in a central location, Mason said, information can be disseminated to each group, whose leaders can then send out a call to their own communities.

Mason said she thought about groups like the Historic Lewes Farmers Market or Lewes in Bloom, which each have hundreds of members.

“It makes sense for them to be a part of this,” she said. “They reach people we wouldn’t be able to touch.”

The group’s website, www.ccc4covid.org, lists three priorities that offer opportunities for people to volunteer, give, and spread the word. Through discussions with all stakeholders, the coalition has identified high-priority needs: blood donations for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, volunteer executives to work with Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement to consult and coach nonprofits, and volunteers to sew protective equipment for Beebe Healthcare.

The group is also updating its Facebook page and sharing information about events in the community, such as eBright Health ACO’s medical supply donation drop-off event for Beebe Healthcare from through Saturday, April 4. 

The website also features calls to action for things like shopping for seniors, and resources for individuals seeking coronavirus information. 

Among the organizations already on board are Beebe Healthcare, Cape Henlopen School District, Lewes Fire Department, Community Resource Center, Casa San Francisco, Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, and the city governments of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Milton. Service organizations, cultural and education groups, churches and business community members have also joined.

Any organization interested in participating in the group should go to www.ccc4covid.org and click Partner Sign-Up on the main page.